Empty chairs again for Clint Eastwood at "Trouble with the Curve" premiere

Clint Eastwood attends the premiere of "Trouble With the Curve" on Sept. 19, 2012, in Los Angeles.

/ Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

(CBS/AP) Clint Eastwood shared the spotlight with a single chair three weeks ago at the Republican National Convention. On Wednesday night, he shared it with more than a dozen.

The 82-year-old walked the press gauntlet at the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, "Trouble with the Curve" - with 16 empty chairs right behind him.

Pictures: Clint Eastwood
Read more: Eastwood defends his RNC speech

When it was pointed out to him, the Oscar winner chucked as he quickly and clearly got the reference.

"Oh my God, yes," he said, with a laugh.

On Aug. 30, Eastwood stood on stage at the RNC berating an empty chair, representing President Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, the chairs were merely set dressing -  bleacher seats lined up along the green carpet at the premiere for "Trouble with the Curve." The film is family drama about a fading baseball-scout father, played by Eastwood, and his estranged daughter, played by Amy Adams. They provide the film's real action, while the game is simply a backdrop.

Representatives from the film's distributor, Warner Bros., politely requested that the  press not ask about Eastwood's RNC appearance, noting it had gotten enough attention and may be overshadowing the film itself.

"I don't know," replied "Curve" director Robert Lorenz. "Some people may come and some people may not because of it. But, in the end, it's not a political movie. Myself, the other cast (members), we all have different political ideas. We all came together and put those aside. So, I hope people treat it as such."

Eastwood has addressed the RNC appearance with numerous journalists, but that hasn't kept it out of mainstream consciousness - perhaps coming to a head last weekend, when actor Bill Hader recreated Eastwood's empty-chair routine, for laughs, on "Saturday Night Live."

Eastwood said he saw the "SNL" skit and enjoyed it, and praised Hader. Eastwood also said he'd continue to stump for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"Sure I would," Eastwood noted. "I just think we need a change, that's all."

[celmem]

I like Eastwood, but I do see your point.

[TimeToEvolve]

Eastwood must be senile. His brain is as empty as the empty suits sans ideas who filled the RepubliCON CONvention.

[cattiej]

I don't like Eastwood, don't see his films anymore, think he made a fool of himself and at 82 I think he is losing it! What the heck is wrong with his voice? Notice that when he is interview his whisper's. Eastwood is just another rich guy who thinks his opinion counts...how much income tax did HE pay last year?? Wonder how much he has to pay to his ex-wife's. Nahh, I really don't care. neither does he...it's all just an act. Another Karl Rove groupie.

[TimeToEvolve]

The empty chair was a symbol for the empty suits of the Republicon Party. No plans or good ideas to help anyone other than rich white men. Nothing really in between the ears of the leaders. So Clint was right on with his symbolism.

[AOCGUY]

by wasadem1 September 20, 2012 4:39 PM EDT
Yiu feel vindicated? Look like what you don't like about Clint is tht he pizzed on your Barry.

Well he tried but the wind was blowing so he got it all over his leg.

[ITSOVERNOW]

Watch how the hypocritcal liberal Hollyweird freethinkers abandon someone who they smothered with academy awards previously, just because he actually has a DIFFERENT OPINION FROM THEIRS !

[gthog]

The liberals that have posted in this thread are truly stupid if their posts are any indication.

I am not sure the country is strong enough to continue carrying the leeches and morons that would actually vote for the complete failure that is obama.

[AOCGUY]

Maybe you should try educating them rather than isnsulting them. You know, like explaining in clear, unemotional terms what needs to be done and how your messiah Romney and his demigod Boehner will make that happen? Heck you might even convince me.

[AOCGUY]

Because otherwise you're just a FOXNews a$$ sniffing moron.

[Rcassis]

Been a Republican my whole life. And while I didn't vote for Obama I was at least proud that my country was color-blind during the election. I was even hopeful that he would actually spend some energy and have some sort of plan for economic growth.

Now all it seems is that he wants to attack people who might have hired more if he had removed some disincentives for doing so. Disappointing...

[erasmus111]

"I was at least proud that my country was color-blind during the election."


Well, half the country, maybe. The rest are major racists.

[mysticpizza]

That act he did at the RNC would make a good SNL skit because thats what it amounts to.

[fxr60]

I loved the "Empty Chair" routine at the convention-it was right on target!!! We DO need a new leader, one that doesn't bow down to foreign leaders and will watch over our embassy's in foreign countries. Unlike what just happened with a 3 day notice and NOTHING was done-NO steped up security for our Consulates on the 9/11 anniversary-duh! that should have been a clue and especially since they were warned 3 days ahead and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! To busy partying and going on TV and campaigning to be bothered with security for our men over seas. To busy for Benjamin Netanyahu because he wants to campaign, but we hear today that he may talk with the RADICAL Muslim Brotherhood Muhammed Morsi who was probably behind the attack!! This President has failed American and he needs to go!!!!!!

[mysticpizza]

While your rambling off those fauxenoise lies Obama will become President again.